Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy believes that Kilkenny's loss to Dublin in the Leinster championship has given new confidence to the rest of the hurling world.

"Kilkenny are still a phenomenal team but the door appears to have been opened slightly now," he said ahead of Sunday's Munster SHC final against Limerick.

"Things come in cycles, and that (Kilkenny's dominance) was the longest cycle we've ever seen in hurling. But no cycle can go on forever, I think other teams see a chance now."

He acknowledged that Kilkenny's recovery to beat Tipperary in the qualifiers last weekend means they are "going to have a huge say in the All-Ireland anyway and we'd rather avoid them for as long as we can."